Riccardo Meggiorini

1. Playing Career

Riccardo Meggiorini's football journey began in his youth, progressing through various Italian clubs before establishing a notable professional career and eventually moving into amateur football.

1.2. Club Career

Meggiorini's professional club career began at Inter Milan and saw him move through a series of loan spells and transfers to various Italian clubs before finishing in amateur leagues.

1.2.1. Inter Milan

In the summer of 2003, Meggiorini joined Inter Milan on loan, where he was placed in the Primavera_{youth team}^Italian of the Nerazzurri. On 23 June 2004, Inter redeemed his contract, securing his full ownership. After starting the 2004-05 season with the youth team, he was called up to the first team by coach Roberto Mancini. Meggiorini made his Serie A debut on 14 November 2004 in a match against Cagliari, which ended in a 3-3 draw. In July 2004, as part of Inter's Primavera squad, he traveled to Japan for the Saitama City Cup, starting as a forward against Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium 2002.

1.2.2. Spezia and Pavia

In January 2005, Meggiorini left Inter on loan, joining Spezia in Serie C1 alongside Hernán Paolo Dellafiore. In the summer of the same year, he moved to Pavia, also in Serie C1, for another loan spell.

1.2.3. Cittadella

In January 2006, Meggiorini transferred to Cittadella, another Serie C1 team, on loan. His loan was extended in July 2006. He quickly became a central figure in Cittadella's attack. In the summer of 2007, Cittadella acquired him in a co-ownership deal for 40.00 K EUR. Meggiorini played a crucial role in leading Cittadella to Serie B promotion in June 2008. During the 2008-09 Serie B season, he scored 18 goals, further cementing his importance to the team.

1.2.4. Genoa and Bari

In June 2009, Meggiorini was involved in significant transfer dealings between Genoa and Inter Milan. As part of a complex agreement that saw Diego Milito (valued at 28.00 M EUR) and Thiago Motta (valued at 10.20 M EUR) move to Inter, Inter paid Genoa 20.00 M EUR in cash and transferred the registration rights for several players, including half of Meggiorini's rights (valued at 2.50 M EUR). Genoa also paid an additional 2.50 M EUR to Cittadella, via Inter, to fully acquire Meggiorini's registration rights.

On 2 July 2009, Meggiorini was transferred to Bari in another co-ownership deal. The 50% registration rights for Meggiorini in this transfer were valued at 2.75 M EUR. On 26 June 2010, Genoa bought back Meggiorini from Bari for 1.79 M EUR after making a higher bid in a closed tender. Four days later, there were reports that Genoa had agreed to swap Meggiorini for goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino with Chievo, but this deal ultimately collapsed.

1.2.5. Bologna

On 9 July 2010, Meggiorini was sold to Bologna in another co-ownership deal, valued at 3.00 M EUR. Although not a regular starter, he contributed significantly, providing three assists, which tied him with Diego Pérez for the team record in that category.

1.2.6. Novara

The following year, Genoa bought back Meggiorini through a direct swap with Federico Rodríguez. However, he immediately moved to Novara, a newly promoted Serie A team, on a temporary deal for 400.00 K EUR. Novara signed him after having sold their key strikers Pablo Andrés González and Cristian Bertani.

1.2.7. Torino

On 16 January 2012, Meggiorini was transferred to Torino in a co-ownership deal valued at 1.00 M EUR, marking his return to Serie B after three years in the top flight. He debuted for Torino on 21 January against his former club, Cittadella, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute. In February 2012, he scored the match-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Sampdoria. On 1 May, he scored a crucial header that secured a victory for his team against Livorno. Torino earned promotion to Serie A at the end of that season. On 22 June 2012, Torino purchased his remaining registration rights from Genoa for 600.00 K EUR, making his move permanent. On 27 January 2013, playing in Serie A, he scored two goals at the San Siro against Inter Milan, resulting in a 2-2 draw. He concluded the season with three goals in 31 appearances.

1.2.8. Chievo

On 4 July 2014, Meggiorini signed a two-year contract with Chievo, which included an option for a third year. He scored his first goal for Chievo at home against Empoli in the match where he made his club debut. On 8 December, he scored a spectacular bicycle kick against Cagliari. He then proved decisive in a 2-1 win against Sampdoria, scoring Chievo's second goal after an impressive 164 ft ^{(50 m)} dribbling run.

1.2.9. Vicenza

On 15 July 2020, Meggiorini signed a one-year contract with Vicenza, which included an option for an extension. His tenure with Vicenza lasted until 2022.

1.2.10. Amateur Levels

After concluding his professional career, Meggiorini transitioned to amateur football. On 7 September 2022, he joined the amateur club San Giovanni Lupatoto. He played for the team until 2023.

2. Honours

Spezia

• Coppa Italia Serie C: 2005

3. Episodes

Riccardo Meggiorini was known for his preference for wearing the jersey number 69. When he played for Novara, large jersey numbers were generally not permitted until the 2010-11 season. However, due to Meggiorini's consistent preference for 69, this unusual number was exceptionally allowed for him, making it a notable anecdote in his career.

As part of Inter Milan's Primavera squad, Meggiorini participated in the Saitama City Cup in Japan on 24 July 2004, where he played as a starting forward against Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium 2002.

4. Retirement

Riccardo Meggiorini officially concluded his professional football career. His final years were spent playing in amateur leagues, notably joining San Giovanni Lupatoto in September 2022 and playing there until 2023, after which he became a former professional footballer.